The History of the Welfare State and the Labour Government 1906-1951

Abstract

The present thesis aims to analyze the birth of British social reforms under the name of "social state", the liberal reforms of 1906-1914 to the government of the Labor Party in the period 1945-1951. This study is divided into three main chapters. The first chapter is devoted to the historical context of the welfare state, the introduction of the liberal reforms of 1906 and the direct influence of these reforms resulting from the first chapter. However, the second chapter shows the appearance of economist Sir William Beveridge and the "Five Giants." Then, the general elections of 1945 and the reasons for the victory of Labor. He explains the collaborative work of Beveridge and the Labor government. The third and last chapter deals with the labor reforms of 1945-1951 (social security, national health service, free education and full employment) and their effectiveness for British society.